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Courtney McAnuff, July 6, 2018
Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks
Courtney McAnuff was Vice President for Enrollment Services at Eastern Michigan University from 1996 until his departure in 2006. Prior to serving as Vice President, McAnuff served EMU in a variety of positions starting in 1980 as Director of Financial Aid. Larry Smith, former Vice President for Student Affairs at EMU said “if Courtney had a fan club, I would be the president.” McAnuff committed himself to many vital undertakings at EMU, both on and off campus, earning McAnuff Emeritus status in 2006.
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Dale Leslie, Interview, 2022
Cassandra Mitchell
On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, Dale Leslie (class of 1970) recounts his journey to EMU and pledging to the Theta Chi Fraternity upon arrival. Leslie credits the female to male ratio as one of the drivers of his attending the school, and the quality of instructors he found once on campus. Leslie also speaks of the cultural shifts at play on college campuses on the late 1960s and early 1970s, the evolution of digital film, and the importance of the lifelong friendships made in college.
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Dale "Luke" Kreger, Oral History Interview, 2022
Matt Jones
Dale "Luke" Kreger was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1961 until 1965. Universally known for his fraternity antics, Kreger was the older brother of fellow Arm of Honor member, Robin "Hawk" Kreger. In this interview, Kreger details his time growing up in Wayne County, MI., his teammates in high school athletics, and the occupations of his parents. Kreger describes the pledge process and initiation rituals and Hell Night, and recounts several of his favorite Arm brothers. Kreger discusses how the fraternity system has changed and talks about the unbreakable bonds gained during his time with the fraternity.
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Dan Gretzner, Interview, 2023
Brooke Boyst
On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, EMU alum Dan Gretzner (class of 1991) speaks of his introduction to EMU via Sports Information Director Jim Streeter, his newfound love of Earth Science, cultural events during his time on campus, and traveling with the EMU basketball team as an assistant sports writer with the Eastern Echo.
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Darlene Bellers, Interview, 2022
Brooke Boyst
On October 1, 2022, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, Emu faculty member with the Office of Dietetics and Nutrition Darlene Bellers. Bellers, also an alum of EMU, speaks on her first experiences on campus and the nervousness of meeting so many new people at once. Bellers worked for Bob England and Michelle Owens at the Olds-Robb Recreation Center, and was more focused on her life after graduation than participating in many of the college activities available at the time. Bellers says that her dream is to have her children attend EMU as well, making it a true “family affair.”
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Dave Barsky, Oral History Interview, 2023
Katherine Hacanyan
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Dave Barsky was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a dedicated student activist, and worked closely with others like Frank Michels on the Second Coming. Barsky was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union after getting expelled from EMU, and continued to be an activist leader.
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Dave Willoughby, Oral History Interview, 2022
Matt Jones
Dave Willoughby was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1987 until 1992. In this interview, Willoughby describes his upbringing in the College Heights area of Ypsilanti with EMU virtually in his backyard. With a father who owned Willoughby Shoe Store in downtown Ypsilanti, Willoughby details his time at Central Michigan University before coming to EMU where he lived in "The Hutch," a windowless room in the Arm house with room for a dresser and a twin bed. Willoughby speaks of his Arm of Honor brothers, his decision to join the frat, his mandatory ride, and the relationship between the University Department of Safety and the Arm of Honor Fraternity. Willoughby describes the night the Arm house was firebombed by a rival frat and the all-neighborhood brawl that nearly followed. Willoughby describes managing fraternity events, charging cover for parties, and the effect of the 2008 recession on the fraternity.
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David Cahill, Oral History Interview, 2022
Cassandra Mitchell and Matt Jones
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. A former political science assistant professor at Eastern Michigan from 1969 to 1970, David Cahill was "non-rehired" after just one year for his support of students and the underground newspaper, the Second Coming. His dismissal fueled student unrest and upset with EMU administration, which led to a student led strike.
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David Geherin, Oral History Interiew, 2019
Matt Jones
David Geherin served as professor of English Language and Literature from 1969 until his retirement in 2010. During his time at EMU, Geherin, an author of crime fiction novels and analytic studies of contemporary crime fiction authors, designed several courses, most notably on crime fiction. Geherin was also an avid traveler during his time with the University, accompanying students on World Cultural History tours across Europe, studying classic works or art, history, and literature in their places of origination. Geherin received Emeritus status in 2010.
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Debbie Sarafian, Interview, 2021
Matt Jones
On October 9, 2021, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, alum Debbie Sarafian details coming up through the Detroit Public Schools, the cost of attending EMU in the 1980s, and getting proposed to in the Alexander Music Building after walking down the hallway with a rival love interest.
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Deisha Myles, Oral History Interview, 2021
Erica Moore and Matt Jones
A member of the Native American Student Organization at Eastern Michigan University at the time of the struggle to change the EMU mascot and logo, Deisha [Olszewski] Myles attended nearly every meeting related to the change of what many considered to be an insensitive depiction of Native American culture. Myles speaks of her experience as a student on the Logo Selection Committee, witnessing the tense interactions between university administrators and describing the divisions amongst indigenous participants, divisions that often adhered closely to differing generational values.
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Dennis Hertel, Oral History Interview, 2022
Katherine St. Amand and Matt Jones
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Dennis Hertel was an EMU student in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Vice President of the student body, and president of the student senate, Hertel was involved in making important decisions regarding the status of student unrest and upset with EMU administration. He would go on to be a United States congressman.
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Dick Look, Oral History Interview, 2023
matt Jones
Dick Look was active with the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1962 until 1966. Look discusses his personal growth in the fraternity and at EMU, and expresses his appreciation for EMU Dean of Men, James "Bingo" Brown. Look also talks about the presence of the Arm of Honor Fraternity in the coaching field in Michigan. Look emphasizes the importance of a sense of belonging in a community in which all members are mutually supportive. Graduating from Walled Lake High School, Look retraces his journey to EMU, including his father's occupation in the entertainment industry and his own plans for a different life for himself. Look attributes his interest in sports broadcasting to listening to Mel Ott and Van Patrick on the radio as a child. Look also recalls his surprise to be dorm mates with four Black men, the first Black people he had ever associated with. Look also speaks of Gilbert Gregory, an Arm brother on the Autism spectrum, and describes the day that the Homecoming float caught fire during the Homecoming parade. On his pledge "ride," Look was taken to Canada and dropped off. Look speaks of the condition of the house and the lengths to which frat brothers went to conserve their sparse collections of clothing.
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Dick "Stubby" Cottrill, Oral History Interview, 2022
Matt Jones
Dick Cottrill was an active member of the Arm of Honor Fraternity from 1963 until 1967. IN this interview, Cottrill details his upbringing in Flint, MI before arriving in Ypsilanti for college. Cottrill describes his friend Bob Schneider, leader of Bob Schneider and the Collegiates, the Arm of Honor house band, and his efforts in booking the band in various venues around Ypsilanti. Cottrill describes the criteria for joining Arm of Honor and the initiation process, before talking about his employment iwth the first Domino's Pizza on Cross Street in Ypsilanti and how the fraternity house was received in the neighborhood on Emmet Street. Cotrrill also describes the feeling of leaving the fraternity at the end of his active membership.
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Donad Loppnow, pt.1, April 24, 2019
Matt Jones and Alexis Braun Marks
Joining EMU faculty in 1974, Donald Loppnow spent fifteen years as the Head of the Department of Social Work before moving to leadership positions in EMU central administration. Loppnow has served as Director of the Office of Research and Development, Associate Vice President for Extended Programs, Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President and Interim President on three different occasions. Since his arrival at EMU, Loppnow has been a bottomless well of support for Eastern Michigan University and it's surrounding community.
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Donald Loppnow Oral History Interview, 2017
Matt Jones
Donald Loppnow served Eastern Michigan University in several capacities over a total of 40 years. He was the department head of the School of Social Work, the assistant to the president for strategic planning, associate vice president for extended programs, provost, vice president and executive director of the EMU Foundation. In this informal interview, Loppnow discusses his relationship with Bruce Nelson, former Vice President for Instruction at EMU, and longtime supporter of a wide variety of University-related causes. Loppnow talks of his first meetings with Nelson, as well as his constant interest in the Ypsilanti community and the welfare of EMU students.
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Don Pearson, Oral History Interview, 1998
Laurence Smith
Don Pearson led the Economics Department at Eastern Michigan University from 1969-2009. In this interview, Pearson details the administrative and faculty power structure of Eastern Michigan University during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pearson was also instrumental in the separation of the Economics Department from the History and Social Science Departments. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
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Don Ward, Interview, 2021
Matt Jones
On October 9, 2021, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, alum Don Ward (class of 1992) describes his initial interest in, and journey to, EMU in the fall of 1984. He details his relationships and impressions of notable EMU employees like President John Porter, Laurence Smith, and Roy Wilbanks.
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Doug Harvey, Oral History Interview, 2022
Charles Calcaterra and Matt Jones
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Harvey served two consecutive terms as sheriff between 1964 and 1972, and during that time he was tasked with managing the protests on EMU's campus. He was a strong individual in the Ypsilanti community, a force to be reckoned with until he passed away in 2023.
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Dr. Albert P. Marshall, Oral History Interview, 1998
Laurence Smith
Dr. Albert P. Marshall served Eastern Michigan University from 1969 until 1980, during which time he taught library science, served as Library Director and Dean of Academic Services. This interview serves as a comprehensive biography of Marshall, from childhood through his time as Dean of Academic Services at Eastern Michigan University. Notable are Marshall’s experiences as librarian for the United States Coast Guard before arriving at EMU, and his concern for the welfare of black students at Eastern. This interview was conducted for the purpose of gathering primary research for Laurence Smith’s book, Eastern Michigan University: A Sesquicentennial Portrait (1999).
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Ed Mattos, Oral History Interview, 2022
Ellie Keys and Matt Jones
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Ed Mattos was a student at EMU in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a student activist, most notably as the chairman of the Student Mobilization Committee. Mattos dedicated his time at EMU to being an activist, and was involved with demonstrations on campus.
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Egbert R. Isbell, Oral History Interview, 1967
Unknown
Egbert R. Isbell was an administrator and faculty member at Michigan State Normal College, Eastern Michigan College and Eastern Michigan University from 1937 until 1967. This presentation serves as an overview of EMU history until 1965, briefly profiling various facets of the University including student organizations, athletics, early presidents, and various department origins.
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Emily LaDuke, Interview, 2023
Christopher Durden
In November of 2023, Eastern Michigan University’s LGBT Resource Center hosted an event in collaboration with the University Archives’ Oral History Program during Transgender Awareness Week where students could share their experiences with being part of the LGBT community on and off campus. EMU student Emily LaDuke talks about transferring to Eastern, getting rid of social media app TikTok, and finding a sense of belonging.
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Eric Brown, Interview, 2021
Matt Jones
On October 9, 2021, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, EMU alum and President of the Alumni Association Eric Brown speaks of his journey to EMU in the fall of 1982, his first impressions of campus, and the joy of having the EMU community turn out for high school track and field events on the EMU campus. He describes his relationship with mentors Glenna Frank Miller and Gregory Peoples, and the enormous influence of EMU President John Porter in his life.
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Evan Zimdars, Interview, 2023
Katie Delahoyde
On October 7, 2023, students from the EMU Archives and Oral History Program recorded the stories of EMU students past and present. Using the EMU Aerie, the Archives’ mobile oral history recording booth, student oral historians captured the formative experiences and perspectives of EMU alums from a variety of campus eras. Here, Zimdars (class of 2018) speaks of his experience obtaining degrees in Social Work, the importance of staying local, and the decision to pursue Social Work rather than Psychology.
An initiative that began in 2017, the University Archives has begun to digitize items from the Historical Audio Recordings collection and other collections. We have sorted these recordings into four categories: Lectures and Presentations, Oral Histories, Performances and Speeches.
At present the category of Oral Histories is the only category that we are actively adding to. With support from the Office of the Provost, the University Archives has been interviewing current and emeritus faculty, staff and students on their experiences at Eastern Michigan University.
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